By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

After trips to the state semifinals and quarterfinals respectively, St. Charles and Riverside each find themselves with representation on the 2009 Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Class 2A All-State team.

Offensive tackle Sylvain Alarcon and defensive end Nick Reine each represent the Comets on the team, while offensive tackle Dale Martin adorns the roster for the Rebels.

Alarcon and Reine were anchors of a St. Charles team that finished 12-2 this season with losses only coming to state semifinalist and district foe John Curtis.

A senior, Reine led SCC in tackles this season while keying a defensive line that made life difficult for opposing offenses all season. The Comets compiled four shutouts this season and allowed 20 points or more only once all season – 27, to Curtis in the semifinals.

Reine called out defensive signals, played special teams, and was a part of the team’s goalline package offensively.

Just as importantly was his contributions off the field, says SCC coach Frank Monica.

“He was a great leader for us. Nobody is more deserving,” said Monica. “He was our best defensive lineman, versatile, and most importantly unselfish. I really don’t know what else he could have done.”

Alarcon, a senior, anchored the Comets offensive line as SCC averaged 33.6 points per game, including a district schedule in which SCC outscored foes by over 230 points.

He’s started every game for the Comets over the past two seasons and, like Reine, was a major locker room leader for SCC according to Monica.

Perhaps most impressive was his ability to stand out given the Comets’ balanced offensive system, which demands for players to excel in run blocking and pass protection.

“He was very strong in both areas,” said Monica. “To be an offensive lineman in our system, you’ve got to be quite intelligent and pay a lot of attention to detail.

“We were quite productive when we ran to his side. We were a left-handed running team for a reason … he was the glue to our line.”

After starting in 2008 as a sophomore, Martin had a true breakout year as a junior, helping to pave the way for Riverside to rush for over 2,600 yards.

Before the season, RA intended to play Martin at guard. But once he had established himself as a potentially dominant player, the Rebels’ coaching braintrust moved him to right tackle. It was a prudent move.

“We don’t grade out lineman, but if I did, I’d say he’d have been probably at 90-percent or better every Friday night. In crunch time, we’d usually run to his side,” said Roussel. “He’s just that good.”

Martin was a unanimous choice to the All-District 9-2A team, significant in a seven-team league also including Curtis, SCC and Newman.

“He was steady against all of them,” said Roussel. “We think he’ll play at the next level.”